A sustainable landscape, what does that mean? Sustainable is a term that encompasses a broad range of meanings. At The Sustainable Landscape Company (TSLC) we define a sustainable landscape as one that incorporate elements of the circular economy, climate resilience, water sensitive design, food production, habitat rich plantings, social connection, urban cooling, fire safety, renewable and recycled and recyclable materials, and locally sourced materials where possible. This is rounded out by our philosophy that sustainability is underpinned by high quality design and construction, to create landscapes that last. We are a team of designers, biodiversity and sustainability experts, construction specialists and plant lovers committed to delivering beautiful, biodiverse, and resilient landscapes.
Setting the stage for a long-lasting landscape
When designing a landscape, our landscape architects always start with an initial consultation with the client on site, to hear from the client what their priorities are for their garden or landscape, no matter how big or small. This allows our landscape architects to get a feel for how these needs might be brought to life within the space, in a way that is sympathetic to any existing features and the surrounding context. Not only do our landscape architects want to hear about the client’s vision and dreams for the space, but they also want to understand how the client wants to use the space and how much time and effort they can put into its upkeep. Ensuring that a landscape meets the needs of those using and inhabiting it is key to its continued use and enjoyment.
Selecting materials for sustainability
When designing a landscape, the hard landscaping elements are what can be most resource intensive when it comes to sustainability. We aim to specify and use materials that meet some or all of the following criteria wherever possible to support the circular economy:
- Locally sourced
- Renewable
- Reclaimed/recycled/recyclable
This might mean:
- rock products that are quarried locally, instead of being imported from overseas
- using reclaimed rather than new timber or bricks
- choosing recycled and recyclable instead of virgin plastic products.
Materials selection is also an important element of designing for fire safety. Strategic placement of materials such as gravel paths and stone mulch around buildings can help to create fuel breaks in a garden. With careful consideration, landscapes can be beautiful and functional, while also prioritising the safety of people and property.
In conjunction with materials, there are multiple other factors that also contribute to the sustainability of a landscape. TSLC’s overarching aim is always to choose the best possible options available and take into consideration the overall sustainability of a landscape, considering a range of complex factors.
Designing with water in mind
Sustainable materials are a crucial element in our landscapes, yet it is also important to look at the overall design of a landscape. Water sensitive design is key to the way that we design and create landscapes. This means incorporating design elements that address drainage, slowing water down before it exits a property as stormwater, as well as water capture, storage, and reuse. One way to do this is with permeable surfaces. Garden beds are the most obvious way to provide a surface that absorbs rainfall and slows runoff, due to the ability of plants and soil to capture and hold water. Other ways permeable surfaces can be integrated into a landscape include using gravel instead of concrete – gravel allows water to soak into the ground rather than running straight off like it would with concrete, and using steppers for access where possible, instead of creating a continuous paved surface. These more permeable alternatives help to mitigate the risks of flash flooding and can improve water quality by filtering or even stopping water before it reaches the stormwater drain.
Landscapers worth their weight in gold
Materials and high-quality design are two big factors in creating a sustainable landscape, how the materials are installed, and the design brought to life, is also key. High quality designs and materials underpinned by construction and installation that is completed to a high standard is what makes our landscapes long-lasting. The skills and expertise of our trade qualified landscaping team means that they understand what it takes to build a landscape that looks good and can be enjoyed for years to come. Care is taken to complete landscape construction works to a high standard to minimize any issues that may arise down the track.
Planting for food production and pollinators
Planting is of course another key element of any landscape. Planting serves many purposes in the landscape, not only providing beautiful greenery. Planting can also provide food, habitat, compost inputs, and urban cooling effects. Incorporating a vegetable patch into a garden is one of the easiest ways to grow fresh produce. We partner with our sister company Foodcube who create super water efficient, minimal maintenance wicking bed systems that are made from 80% recycled food grade plastic. Foodcubes enable people to grow kilos of produce with minimal maintenance due to their large water reservoir at the base of the bed. Many fruits and vegetables require pollinators, such as bees. When these plants are in flower a mutually beneficial relationship is in play – the bees collect the nectar or pollen, and the plants receive the benefit of pollination so that their fruits may grow. While many food and supporting ornamental plants flower in the warmer parts of the year, native plants often flower in the cooler parts of the year, making them a smart choice to support pollinators for more of the year, thereby also extending your crop.
Planting for the local habitat and climate adaptation
Native plants also provide habitat for native fauna, attracting birds, insects and mammals to your garden by providing them with food and shelter. With changes to our climate and rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, invasive species, and habitat loss threatening our native fauna, this is imperative. In designing with native and indigenous plants our landscape architects are selecting plant species that are uniquely suited to the climates and soils of the locations that they originate from. This means that native plants are often a more water efficient and lower maintenance choice than non-native species, giving them a better chance at long-term success than their non-native counterparts. Choosing native plants that are adapted to the area also contributes to biodiversity, supporting the local ecosystem. Resilient and long-lived plants and trees absorb and transpire water and provide shade, contributing to the urban cooling effect. When plants die or leaves fall, they can be composted, contributing to the circularity of the landscape. By landscaping with native and indigenous plants we can create habitat infill throughout our urban environment and contribute to a range of other outcomes that are beneficial to humans and nature alike such as supporting urban cooling and greening, and minimising the use of fertilisers and pesticides.
Designing for social connection
We believe that landscapes have the power to bring people together and create social connections. A sustainable landscape is one that also meets the needs of the humans that inhabit it. Some of the ways that our landscape architects foster social connection through design is by incorporating gathering and play spaces into landscapes that encourage people to come together and socialise. These spaces can be designed for a variety of activities, such as picnics, games, or simply hanging out with friends and family. Growing food also provides multiple opportunities for people to come together and connect. By placing a productive garden somewhere that neighbours can see and pass by regularly, conversations start and local social connections are fostered. These are just some of the ways that social connection can be facilitated through the design of landscapes, enhancing the quality of life for those who inhabit them.
Creating beautiful, biodiverse, resilient landscapes for living
At TSLC we are passionate about designing and constructing sustainable landscapes. As landscape architects, our designers are guided by the Australian peak body for landscape architecture, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects – AILA. One of AILA’s key objectives is the advocacy of Climate Positive Design. This principle translates to projects that provide net positive climate outcomes. Landscape architects are stewards of the environment, and advocate for climate positive outcomes through evidence-based landscape interventions, good planning and design, and education. By staying true to our philosophy that sustainability is underpinned by high quality design and construction, we create landscapes that last. Landscapes that incorporate renewable/recycled/recyclable materials and locally sourced materials where possible, with elements that contribute to the circular economy, climate resilience, fire safety, social connection, water sensitive design, food production, habitat rich plantings and urban cooling. These are beautiful, biodiverse, resilient landscapes for living.
